On July 20, 2016, my painted backdrop for Portland's Theatre Vertigo's production of The Drunken City won a Drammy. What???? Still in shock! Still delighted! Thank you, Mark Valadez and Rebecca Lingafelter, for letting me know. Thank you, KL Cullom, for this project and congratulations to you! How cool, right?!

Had an eye exam today and my eyes are still dilated, causing this note to appear blurry and me to ponder: after approximately 6.5 hours, how long does its effect last?

I've been back in Tacoma over a week, and you know what tickles me about this city? It's something that I neverpaid much attention to until I spent significant time away in other cities. As you know, I've done a fair amount of walking in every city I've lived in: it clears my head, is a great reward after crossing a few dos off of my to-dos list, lets me get an intimate view of my surroundings, design ideas tend to pop into my head when my feet are moving and it's an opportunity to greet other fellow humans along the way. But, this is what is fun about Tacoma. I, and others I walk with or pass by, predominantly walk IN the street when on neighborhood streets. Of course this isn't the case on busy or downtown streets but rather those with less traffic. Why, I've asked myself? Because sometimes there is a sidewalk, sometimes there isn't. Sometimes there had been one, and a owner removed it, or sometimes there never was one. No consistency. It's just easier to by-pass all of this start and stopping by hitting the street itself. Some non-walkers (and even a few of the dogs I've walked!) see this as annoying. Funny, huh?

Speaking of a city I've done extensive walking in, one of the projects I finished, since the last time we wrote, is a painted scenic backdrop for The Drunken City, a Theatre Vertigo production in Portland. You might have caught the previously added photos I shot of the completed back wall (my blog's Scenic Painting entry), but now (so excited!) I have photos taken by Gary Norman! They all feature the play in action, WITH the actors!

Before I add them, though, here is some info I added onto my Facebook page about the play that you may not have seen:

LOVED working with these creative people! Thank you, especially to the inspiring Director, KL (Kelly) Cullom, for asking me to participate and trusting me and Kelsey Peake, for all of your thorough communication and support.

Also, a nod of thanks to Carl Hamilton for the amazing painted sidewalk and sky and the informative conversation.

Director, KL Cullom, asked me to paint a backdrop for her next play called The Drunken City at Theatre Vertigo (http://www.theatrevertigo.org/) in Portland, OR. The play takes place on a city street, with lots of tagging, graffiti, grime and layers of posters. Here is the result:

Can't wait to see this play! It will be running October 23-November 21.